Race Runs North

Officials of the San Diego Marathon, which eventually proved successful last year but was surrounded by chaos and almost wasn’t run, will hold a press conference tonight to unveil this year’s course and announce backing by the City of Carlsbad.

Race director Lynn Flanagan, who has wanted all along to base the race in North County for the six years she’s directed it, said Wednesday that the race has been permanently moved to Carlsbad and that the city’s mayor, Bud Lewis, will endorse the race at the conference.

Flanagan also said prize money will double from last year’s $10,000 and that a major sponsorship by two organizations that have supported the marathon on a smaller scale in the past will be announced.

The new 26.2-mile course will vary slightly from last year’s flat one, but won’t leave city limits.

“What this means,” Flanagan said, “is now we have city support and a steady course. Last year, we were changing it a week before the race. I never want to have to do that again. You can’t do that and still draw the kind of people you want in a race like this.”

The marathon is also in negotiations for sponsorship with a major car company and is close to an agreement, Flanagan said.